Red Sox Journal: Bard designated for assignment as struggles continue

Sunday

Sep 1, 2013 at 8:44 PM

BOSTON — If Daniel Bard becomes only a memory in Red Sox lore, the memories will be bittersweet.For all of 2010 and 2011, Bard was the elite set-up man out of the bullpen in baseball. He dominated with...

Kevin McNamara Journal Sports Writer kevinmcnamara33

BOSTON — If Daniel Bard becomes only a memory in Red Sox lore, the memories will be bittersweet.

For all of 2010 and 2011, Bard was the elite set-up man out of the bullpen in baseball. He dominated with a fastball that consistently flirted with 100 mph and a cutting breaking ball. Then, in what can only be described as a stunning meltdown, his stuff was gone. A two-year experiment to become a starting pitcher ended Sunday when Bard was designated for assignment so the Red Sox could fit newly-acquired bench pieces John McDonald and Quintin Berry on the 40-man roster.

Red Sox manager John Farrell helped guide Bard into a relief role in Boston where “for two years he was as good as there was in the game,” according to the manager. To see him cut loose at just 28 years old was difficult for Farrell.

“It’s not an easy one,” said Farrell. “Given what he’s been able to do in the past and dealing with the struggles with consistency that have been there he’s (now) in the position he’s in.”

Bard was pitching for Single-A Lowell in the last week after spending much of the summer in the Florida Gulf Coast League. His control problems have doomed any comeback attempts, however. He’s issued 27 walks with nine strikeouts in 151/3 innings in the minors this year. He’ll go through the mandatory waiver period but will be welcomed back to the Red Sox if he’s not claimed.

“If he’s still in the organization, which we hope would be the case, we haven’t turned our back on him. We’re hopeful we can get Daniel back on track to the pitcher that he was at the big-league level, which was a dominant one,” Farrell said.

McDonald to do his part

With six other major league teams already on his 15-year resume, McDonald just had to find his way to Boston to play for the Red Sox at some point, correct?

“After I moved here [to Scituate, Mass.] hoped is the better word but in this game you never know what’s going to happen,” said the East Lyme, Conn., native and Providence College graduate. “The game takes you in so many different directions. I just as easily could’ve wound up in Seattle.”

But McDonald is in Boston with a Red Sox team that is in first place and looking ahead to playing baseball in October. McDonald was acquired in a trade for minor leaguer Nefi Ogando Saturday and will serve as a reserve infielder whose slick glove could spell Stephen Drew, Xander Bogaerts or Will Middlebrooks in late-game situations. McDonald’s only postseason experience came in 2011 with Arizona.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “Walking into this clubhouse and seeing the group of guys I’ve played against and people on the team that I know and staff that I know, it’s a very comfortable situation to walk into. Obviously where we are in the standings, it’s where everybody wants to be. I just want to try to contribute and do my part.”

McDonald is the third ex-PC player to play for the Red Sox. He joins Birdie Tebbetts (1947-50) and Lou Merloni (1998-2003). The three other Friars to enjoy some big league time were Ed Wineapple (Senators, 1929), Al Blanche (Boston Braves, 1935) and Keith Reed (Orioles, 2005)

Sox add to roster

The Red Sox took advantage of the option to expand their roster for September by adding veterans McDonald and Berry and calling up catcher Ryan Lavarnway and pitcher Rubby De La Rosa from Pawtucket. Also, infielder Brandon Snyder was activated from the disabled list.

Farrell said finding veteran players to fill pinch-running and defensive substitution roles was a focus in the days leading up to Sept. 1. Berry was in the clubhouse hours before the first pitch, while McDonald was traveling through some difficult weather and made it to Fenway just before game time.

“We set out to find (a base stealer) and Quintin has had a long track record in the minor leagues as a successful base stealer,” Farrell said. “Even at the big league level the success rate is as good as it gets with 21 stolen bases and zero caught. He fills a specific need in that role for us.”

Berry, 28, appeared in 99 Triple-A games this season for Toledo (Tigers), Omaha (Royals) and Pawtucket (two games). He hit .193 but stole 30 times in 34 attempts. In the majors last year with the Tigers, Berry hit .258 and was a perfect 21-for-21 in stolen bases. Berry came in as a defensive replacement for Jacoby Ellsbury (finger injury) in the ninth inning and caught the last out of the game.

Around the bases

Mike Napoli and Jonny Gomes both weren’t in the starting lineup with Mike Carp (first base) and Daniel Nava (left field) getting in the lineup. Gomes came on in the seventh inning after Shane Victorino suffered a left hip contusion. Also, Bogaerts saw his second start at third base as Middlebrooks (1 for his last 10 at-bats) sat. … The Red Sox honored several New England Babe Ruth championship teams, including the 15-year old all-stars from Cranston. … Ellsbury stole his 51st base of the season in the fourth inning. … White Sox manager Robin Ventura was ejected in the fourth inning, his third of the season and seventh in his managerial career. … The Red Sox will see Tigers All-Star Max Scherzer on Tuesday but miss Justin Verlander in a three-game series that starts today at Fenway.